Guide to Liverpool’s Vibrant Street Art Scene

November 15, 2023 by lola

If technicolour street art is your vibe, you’ve come to the right place – and we are about to direct you to all the top spots for a graffiti-packed adventure through Liverpool city centre. From the famous Baltic Triangle to Liverpool FC, get ready to discover the most instagrammable street art in Liverpool, from mind-blowing murals to hidden gems.

Liverpool Street Art Map:

Your perfect Liverpool street art google map is here!

We’ve dropped pins on Liverpool’s top 10 street art locations so you can add them to your map (and your Insta Story) as you embark on a visual treasure hunt around the city.

Top Street Art in Liverpool:

1. Baltic Triangle:

Baltic Triangle and its uniquely industrial past is a top tier location when it comes to spotting some of Liverpool’s most supreme graffiti and street art. The area is known for its connection to the historical docks and warehouses of the city and dotted around the crisscrossing, post-industrial streets you’ll find amazing art giving new life to old walls.

One Instagram capture not to miss is All Liverpool’s Liver Birds which popped up in the Baltic Triangle back in 2017. The huge copper-oxide green wings painted directly on brick by Paul Curtis has seen thousands of visitors and locals flock (pun intended) to pose in front of the outstretched wings and transform themselves into a human-bird hybrid. Even Queen Consort Camilla once made a royal splash joining in on the fun.

Make sure you don’t miss Wedding House on Great George Place where you will find an astonishing 50 ft photorealistic masterpiece. This massive mural by self-taught Brazilian urban artist Liam Bononi was painted in 2020 and captures a personal friend of the artist. Funded by the Liverpool Without Walls Culture Fund, it is a stunning fusion of modernism meets history on a Grade two listed, Gothic building.

2. Jamaica Street:

You can’t go to Jamaica street and not check out this cheeky chimpanzee mural from 2017 by the founder of The Secret Society of Super Villain Artists. Silent Bill takes a controversial dig at a number of Banksy originals that were removed from Liverpool in 2013 and sold to private collectors with this large scale black and white mural.

3. Grafton Street:

An interactive mural inviting you to pose with the Abbey Road zebra crossing album cover is one not to be missed by Beatles fans. Painted by Paul Curtis, the piece was commissioned in 2019 for the album’s 50th anniversary. Located on the side of the Cains Brewery in the Baltic Triangle area of Liverpool, this immersive work plays with dimension and cascades from the wall to the ground, allowing Beatles fans to get retro and recreate the famous scene.

4. Jordan Street:

With The Baltic Triangle being a hub for lively football screenings, Jordan Street is a fitting place for fans to enjoy a large-scale mural of the Liverpool Football Club’s Boss. The incredible Jurgen Klopp mural was created by street artist Aske over two days in 2018, in celebration of Liverpool FC’s impressive 2017-2018 season.

5. Parliament Street:

Akse strikes again just outside the Baltic Triangle with a stellar tribute to Stephen Hawking painted on Parliament Street. The mural includes an inspirational quote by the scientist created in computer typeface that reads “However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at”

6. Tithebarn Street

Ready for some girl power at a dizzying height? Tithebarn Street’s towering, 21 metre high artwork on the side of the landmark Tempest Building is one of the tallest murals in the North of England and it was created by all female street art group Nomad Clan. The empowering piece signifies new beginnings and flourishing entrepreneurship in the Liverpool city.

7. Oldham Place

Oldham Place is a hidden gem, not the sort of place you would casually stumble upon on a walk in the city but it’s bountiful with bold murals. Down the little cobblestone street the back parking areas are home to some immense talent, turning it into a mini Hall of Fame in Liverpool. Go time travelling with a gigantic Back to the Future piece that takes up a whole wall and some unique overlapping letter murals by Snotone are on display.

8. The Fabric District

In Eastern Liverpool a massive transformation is underway, creating an intriguing labyrinth of wooden construction panels that make the perfect street art canvas. The old heart of the city’s rag trade, the area has amassed an incredible string of street art from Aske, Philth, Ed Hicks, John Hyatt, Kelzo and many more.

9. London Road

In the city centre, on London Road you’ll discover some of London based street artist Mr Cenz’s iconic women painted in bright, psychedelic colours. Don’t miss one of Liverpool legend John Culshaw’s many masterpieces at the front of street food restaurant Sketch Bar Kitchen.

10. Sybil Road

Football fans don’t kick yourselves for missing this street, home to some cracker Liverpool FC murals. Anfield Wrap’s mural of local Alexander-Arnold serves as inspiration for Liverpool youngsters and was created in support of local charity Fans Support Food Banks. Directly opposite you’ll spot a mega piece commissioned by The Redmen TV to commemorate Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning success, under Jordan Henderson – the first Liverpool captain to lift the Premier League trophy.

Other Ways to Experience Liverpool Street Art Culture:

Go on a Baltic Triangle walking tour:

Want to dive deeper into the Liverpool street art scene? Join a Baltic Triangle Tour and let the guides take you on a journey through the city’s creative heart. Weave your way through the triangle, taking in developments old and new, the side street hidden gems that you would ordinarily miss. Take in all the street art and top selfie spots along the way, including the famous Paul Curtis Wings and Akse’s Jurgen Klopp mural.

Attend a paint and sip session:

Looking to unleash your own creativity? Join one of our paint and sip sessions and let your inner artist shine. No experience required – just a willingness to have a great time, create some art, and sip on your favourite drinks. It’s a casual and fun way to connect with friends and embrace your artistic side.

Keep an eye out for street art events:

Liverpool is a hub of creativity, and there’s always something exciting happening. Keep your eyes peeled for street art events, exhibitions, and live art sessions. You never know when you might stumble upon an artist in action, turning a blank wall into a masterpiece.

Explore the Different Functions Offered by Pinot & Picasso’s Here!

Ready to explore more ways to experience creativity and art? Check out the variety of functions offered by Pinot & Picasso. Whether you’re planning a team-building event, celebrating a special occasion, or just looking for a unique way to spend your day, we’ve got you covered.

What Colours Make Purple? Mixing Colour With Paint Guide

November 15, 2023November 14, 2023 by lola

What Colours Make Purple? Mixing Colour With Paint Guide

Are you passionate about adding a pop of purple to your masterpiece but don’t have the right colour mixing recipe? Look no further because we have a simple but comprehensive guide to all things perfectly purple!

We know when you are trying to mix a rich, vibrant purple to complete your painting, a lot of times your palette can come out looking like a muddy brown mess! We get it, mixing purple paint can be frustrating but with the right colour combinations and our handy step by step guide you’ll be mixing a perfect purple in no time!

Purple is a secondary colour on the colour wheel that combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Often associated with royalty, luxury, creativity, mystery and spirituality, in many cultures purple is historically linked with wealth and extravagance because purple dye used to be rare and expensive to produce.

What Colours Should I Mix to Make Purple?

How to Mix Different Shades of Purple:

There are various shades and tints of purple and all are mixed with variations of red and blue. It’s important to understand the temperature of different paint colours to ensure you use the correct ones for the best results.

Warm Blue + Cool red:

While mixing red with blue makes purple, the temperature and undertones of the paint determine the shades of purple you will create. On the colour wheel, purple falls in between a cool-toned red, and a warm-toned blue, so a true purple is made by mixing equal parts of a warm blue with a cool red.

Warm toned blues – Ultramarine blue, Phthalo blue
Cool toned reds – Alizarin Crimson, Quinacridone Magenta, Permanent Rose

The Perfect Purple:

To mix purple similar to what you would find in a premixed tube, mix equal amounts of Permanent Rose and Ultramarine blue.

How to Make a Dark Purple:

Mix the perfect purple as above and add a small amount of ultramarine blue to deepen the colour. You can also add the tiniest amount of black paint to produce a darker shade of purple.

How to Make a Light Purple:

To create a lighter purple, simply add white to your true perfect purple mix. The more white you add, the lighter shades of purple you can develop, from a soft amethyst to a lovely lilac.

How to Make a Muted Purple:

Muted shades of purple with an earthy feel can be created by adding a complementary colour to your true purple mix. Complementary colours are directly opposite one another on the colour wheel, making yellow the complementary of purple. Add a tiny amount of cadmium yellow or yellow ochre to produce a muted, brownish purple hue.

How to Make a Vibrant Purple:

For more vibrant purple, ensure you use paints with no yellow colour bias (hints of the colour on either side of them on the colour wheel) When you mix reds and blues that contain yellow, you will get a murky or brownish purple so ensure you choose those perfectly paired cool-toned reds and warm-toned blues. Use Quinacridone Magenta as your red and Cobalt Blue (or green-blue mix like Platho Turquoise) for best results!

Lavender vs Purple vs Violet

Lavender, purple, and violet are all different shades of the colour purple, but they have distinct differences in terms of their hues and tone and associations.

Purple:

Purple is a colour that falls between blue and red in the visible spectrum. It is a rich and versatile colour, ranging from deep, dark shades to lighter, more vibrant tones. Different shades of purple can evoke different emotions; for example, darker purples can symbolise luxury and sophistication, while lighter purples can represent romance and delicacy.

Lavender:

Lavender is a pale tint of purple, often described as a light or pale purple with a hint of pink or grey. It is a soft and delicate colour, reminiscent of blooming lavender flowers. Lavender is often associated with calmness, femininity, and elegance. It has a soothing and tranquil quality, making it a popular choice in interior design and fashion.

Violet:

Violet is a spectral colour, meaning it exists in the visible light spectrum and has its own specific wavelength. It is a true purple colour, without any tint of other hues like pink or blue. Violet is a bright and vivid colour, often described as a slightly bluish purple. It is associated with spirituality, intuition, and imagination. Violet is one of the colours of the rainbow and has a vibrant energy.

How to Make Lavender:

For this cool purple shade, your best bet is ultramarine violet mixed with white, but you can create a similar result with ultramarine blue, permanent rose and white.

How to Make Violet:

Mix Quinacridone Magenta with Cobalt Blue or Platho Turquoise, adding small amounts of white until you reach your perfect shade of violet.

Paint Mixing Techniques and Tips:

Gradual Paint Mixing: Start with Small Portions

One of the best paint mixing tips you can follow is to start small! Mixing in smaller portions ensures you can adjust the colour easier and save a lot of wasted paint!

Adjusting Colour Temperature:

This one is pretty simple as long as you know your warm and cool colours! Adjusting the colour temperature in your paint mixing involves manipulating the balance between warm and cool colours to achieve the desired effect.

Warm: reds, oranges, yellows

Cool: blues, greens, purples

The perception of colour temperature can be influenced by the hues surrounding it, so it’s a good idea to mix your paint on a neutral surface like white. To adjust the colour temperature of your paint, add its opposite in small amounts until you achieve the desired result:

Too warm = add a cool colour

Too cool = add a warm colour

Mixing Styles:

Stirring:

Use a brush to stir the colours together, kind of like stirring your dinner on the cooker. This method is useful for blending small amounts of paint.

Folding:

Use a palette knife to fold the colours over each other. This technique helps mix the colours more thoroughly and can create interesting marbled effects.

Layering:

Apply one colour on top of another. This method is useful for creating glazes and translucent effects.

Working With Different Types of Paint:

Mixing Acrylic Paint:

Gather Supplies:

Acrylic paints
Palette – any material
Brushes or palette knife
Water

Squeeze Out the Paint:

Start by squeezing out the colours you want to mix onto your palette. Place them a few inches apart to give yourself space to mix in between.

Start Mixing:

Use a clean brush or a palette knife to begin mixing the colours. Start with small amounts of paint, adding more as needed to adjust the colour.

Observe and Adjust:

As you mix, observe the resulting colour and use the tips above to adjust.

Add Water:

If your paint is feeling too thick you can add a little water to your paintbrush and mix it in so your paint flows easier.

Mixing Oil Paint:

Gather Supplies:

Oil paints – various brands often have different pigment concentrations and consistencies.
Palette – wood, glass or acrylic.
Painting Medium – Linseed oil, walnut oil, or other painting mediums to modify the consistency and drying time of your oil paint.
Brushes and palette knife – have a set just for your oil paints
Paint solvent – Turpentine

Squeeze Out the Paint:

Start by squeezing out the colours you want to mix onto your palette. Place them a few inches apart to give yourself space to mix in between.

Mix in the Medium:

Pour some of the medium on to your palette and mix a tiny bit in with your oil paints. Use a palette knife to mix the colours.

Observe and Adjust:

As you mix, observe the resulting colour and adjust accordingly. Oil paints allow for subtle colour adjustments because they dry slowly, giving you time to work with the paint.

Clean Tools Between Mixing – NO WATER!:

Clean your brushes and palette knife thoroughly with a suitable oil paint solvent before switching to a new colour, wipe dry with a clean rag.

Mixing Watercolour Paint:

Gather Supplies:

Watercolours – these come in tubes or pan sets
Watercolour palette – specifically designed with deeper wells (sections) to hold and mix the paints.
2 x jars – 1 for cleaning and one for mixing
Brushes: Watercolour brushes are made from gentle fibres with fine tips

Squeeze out the Paint:

Ensure colours are in their own sections or wells.

2 Start Mixing:

Mix the paint on a flat area of the palette by gently stirring the colours together. Clean your brushes thoroughly between colours to avoid mixing unwanted hues. Rinse your brushes in clean water and gently blot them on a paper towel.

Test the Colour:

Before applying the mixed colour to your artwork, test it on a scrap piece of paper to ensure it matches your desired shade.

Keep Practising:

Watercolour mixing requires patience and practice. Don’t be afraid to experiment and explore different combinations on scrap papers to achieve the desired mixes.

Can I Mix Different Types of Paint?

Mixing different types of paint can be done, but it’s important to understand the characteristics of the paints you’re working with to achieve the best results. Generally it’s best to stick to mixing paints within the same category (water-based with water-based, oil-based with oil-based) to ensure compatibility and stability.

Water-Based Paints:

Acrylic and watercolour paints are both water-based, so they can be mixed together without any issues. However, keep in mind that acrylic paint dries to a plastic-like texture, while watercolour can reactivate with water, even after drying. Mixing them might result in a surface that is not entirely predictable but can make for some beautiful and unique art.

Oil-Based Paints:

It’s generally not recommended to mix oil paints with acrylic. Oil paints dry through oxidation and have a different chemical composition. Mixing them can lead to issues with drying, adhesion, and stability over time.

Oil and watercolour paints should not be mixed. Watercolour is water-based and contains additives that allow it to dissolve in water, while oil paints repel water. Mixing these two types of paint will not produce a stable mixture.

Experimentation and Testing:

If you’re curious about mixing different types of paint, it’s a good idea to conduct small-scale experiments on a separate surface before applying them to your artwork. This way, you can observe how the paints interact and whether the mixture provides the desired result.

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15 Of The Best Australian Painters Of All Time

November 14, 2023 by lola

15 Of The Best Australian Painters Of All Time

Australia, with its breathtaking outback landscapes and unique shorelines has inspired artists for Centuries. From the Ancient imagery of Aboriginal art dating back thousands of years, to European settlers and modern contemporaries, Australia has produced some of the most notable and prominent artists worldwide.

Our list of famous Australian artists is compiled from a diverse range of men and women, from all ages, cultures, time periods and cultures. The rich history of this country, merging of cultures and infusion of artistic influences from across the globe has resulted in highly original Australian art and painters with unique and multi-layered viewpoints

Australian Art – A Historical Overview:

Australian art has a long and rich history that has truly made its mark on the global art scene, from traditional Indigenous Australian art, European impressionist influences to modernist styles. Australian art continues to evolve, embracing new mediums, styles, and perspectives, reflecting the country’s dynamic cultural landscape.

Aboriginal art

Aboriginal artworks are thought to be some of the oldest in the world, with rock paintings located in the Kimberley’s being dated back 40,000 years ago. Considered to contain the oldest continuing art traditions in the world, Aboriginal art developed over time and across various tribes producing intricate rock carvings, paintings, decorative tools and complex dot paintings. Often telling stories of the Ancient Dreamtime, holding deeply spiritual and sacred meanings and associations for each Aboriginal artist who depicts it. The creation of the earth, its creatures and the recording of history are dominant themes amongst the hundreds of individual cultural styles of various tribes, each with their own methods and techniques.

Early Exploration and Colonialism (1600-1880)

European colonisation in the late 1700’s brought numerous artists to the continent in search of new inspiration. Fascinated by the exciting new terrain and wildlife, these European settlers combined artistic influences, styles and methods from home with a new subject matter – the unique Australian environment, resulting in distinctly Australian art. Early colonial art mainly focused on documenting the landscape, flora, fauna, and the new settlements.

Australian Impressionism (1880 – 1920)

The Heidelberg School, also known as Australian Impressionism, was an art movement centered around the artists who gathered in the rural area around Heidelberg, a suburb of Melbourne. Characterised by its focus on capturing the Australian landscape in a manner influenced by French Impressionism, the movement concentrated on plein air painting and portraying the effects of light and atmosphere.

Modernism (1914 – 1945)

During the Great Depression and wartime periods, Australian art reflected the social and economic challenges faced by the country, depicting scenes of poverty, unemployment, and the impact of war. Artists responded to the harsh realities of the time embracing abstraction and art movements such as social realism.

Postmodernism (1945 – 2000)

Australian art underwent significant change after World War II with artists moving away from strict adherence to a particular style and embracing a mix of artistic styles and mediums. Post-war Australian art was diverse, dynamic, and emotionally charged, reflecting the country’s evolving identity and the influence of global artistic movements. It laid the foundation for the rich and varied contemporary Australian art scene.

Contemporary (2000 – Present)

With increased migration, Australian art became more diverse, reflecting multicultural influences. Australian artists have embraced conceptual and contemporary art forms, engaging with political, social, and environmental themes.

The Best of the Best – Our top 15

Today, the Australian art scene boasts a diverse range of styles, mediums and influences merged together and infused with a rich historical, cultural, social and political history. Each Australian painter listed below is as individual, unique and complex as Australian art itself.

1. Margaret Olley (1923-2011):

Margaret Olley is renowned for her vibrant still life paintings inspired by everyday objects such as fruit, flowers, and pottery. Olley’s distinctive style and use of color made her a celebrated figure in the art world. Throughout her career, she received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to the arts and is widely regarded as one of the country’s most talented and beloved painters.

Olley’s impact on the Australian art community was profound. The Margaret Olley Art Centre in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, stands as a tribute to her remarkable career and artistic legacy. The gallery provides visitors with the opportunity to explore her works and gain insights into her creative process. It’s a wonderful destination for art enthusiasts and those interested in experiencing the beauty of Olley’s creations up close.

2. Sidney Nolan (1917-1992):

Sidney Nolan is one of Australia’s most prolific and celebrated 20th-century artists. Growing up during the Depression era, Nolan emerged with a vibrant modern art style, focusing on uniquely Australian stories from the bush.

Nolan’s fame largely stems from his iconic depictions of the Australian outlaw Ned Kelly which became an enduring symbol of Australian art. His legacy continues to influence contemporary artists and art enthusiasts worldwide. His ability to capture the essence of Australian identity and history in his art remains a testament to his enduring impact on the art world.

3. Grace Cossington-Smith (1892-1984):

Grace Crossington-Smith’ artworks are characterised by vibrant colours and a focus on everyday life in Sydney during the 20th century. She had a keen eye for capturing the beauty of ordinary scenes and domestic life, infusing them with a sense of modernity and artistic expression.

Inspired by the Modernist art that she saw in Europe, Smith’s style was ahead of its time, contributing significantly to the development of Post-Impressionist art in Australia. Her pioneering work has left an indelible mark on the country’s artistic heritage.

4. John Brack (1920-1999):

John Brack is well known for his contributions to the Australian art scene. He was a leading figure in the Melbourne figurative movement and is considered one of Australia’s most significant 20th-century painters. Brack’s work often depicted urban life and the human condition, capturing the everyday experiences of Australia in a distinctive style.

Brack used his influence as a successful Australian artist to highlight the anonymity and alienation of modern urban life through his sharp observations, satirical edge, and meticulous attention to detail. His vast body of work includes a diverse range of paintings, drawings, and prints, all of which have contributed to the rich tapestry of Australian art.

5. Albert Namatjira (1902-1959):

Albert Namatjira is a renowned Indigenous Australian artist whose Western-style watercolours paintings of the ancient Australian outback introduced Aboriginal art to the wider Australian community.

His skillful use of colour and light gained him widespread recognition and his contributions to the Australian art scene were acknowledged in 1953 when he received the Queen’s Coronation Medal. In 1968, he was honoured posthumously with his portrait on an Australian postage stamp, commemorating his legacy as a pioneering Indigenous artist and cultural ambassador.

In 1956, Australian artist William Dargie painted a portrait of Albert Namatjira, which went on to win Australia’s most prestigious art award, the Archibald Prize. This was a significant milestone in the recognition of Indigenous Australian artists, as it marked the first time that a portrait of an Aboriginal person had won the honour.

6. Arthur Streeton (1867-1943):

Arthur Streeton was a renowned Australian landscape painter and a leading member of the Heidelberg School, an important art movement in Australia during the last 19th and early 20th centuries. Known Considered one of Australia’s most significant Impressionist painters, imbued each oil painting with rich colours and bold brushstrokes. With a unique ability to capture the unique light and colours of the Australian landscape, his works often depicted rural scenes, mountains and coastal landscapes.

Streeton’s contributions to Australian art and his influence on Australian Impressionism has left a lasting legacy. His works are held in major art collections and museums, both in Australia and internationally.

7. Tom Roberts (1856-1931):

Tom Roberts, who was also a key figure in the Heidelberg School, primarily focused on depicting the Australian landscape and its people. He was known for his ability to capture the unique light, colour, and atmosphere of the Australian outdoors.

Robert’s paintings often featured rural scenes, bush landscapes, and the everyday lives of the Australian people, including shearers, farmers, and Indigenous Australians. One of his most famous paintings is “Shearing the Rams” (1890), which is considered an iconic representation of Australian pastoral life.

8. Margaret Preston (1875-1963):

Margaret Preston was a pioneering Australian artist known for her contributions to modernist art in Australia. Born in Adelaide, she attended Victoria Art School and trained in Munich, Paris and London. Greatly influenced by European Modernism and French Post-Impressionism, Preston emerged as a painter, printmaker, and influential art teacher who played a significant role in the development of Australian art during the early to mid-20th century.

Known for her innovative approach to art, incorporating Aboriginal, Pacific Islander and Asian art traditions into her work, she created a unique and distinctive style that combined elements of modernism with a distinctly Australian aesthetic.

Her Preston’s art often featured bold colours, simplified forms, and a focus on the native flora and fauna of Australia. A strong advocate for the use of Australian motifs and materials in art, she promoted a sense of National identity through artistic expression. Preston is remembered as one of Australia’s leading modernist artists and a trailblazer for her innovative and forward-thinking approach to art.

9. Fred Williams (1927-1982):

Fred Williams was a highly influential Australian painter known for his abstract paintings of distinctive landscapes, particularly depictions of the Australian bush.

After studying at the National Gallery School in Melbourne, he gained prominence in the 1960s for his innovative approach to modern painting. Williams’ unique style involved abstraction and the use of aerial perspectives, capturing the vastness and subtleties of the Australian landscape from an elevated perspective, emphasising intricate patterns and forms in nature.

Williams’ dedication to capturing the Australian landscape in a new and innovative way earned him critical acclaim both in Australia and internationally.

10. Brett Whiteley (1939-1992):

Contemporary Australian Brett Whitely gained early recognition for his talent, winning several art awards while still in his teens. He studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney and later travelled extensively, drawing inspiration from his experiences in Europe, the United States, and Asia.

Whiteley’s work spanned various mediums, including painting, sculpture, and printmaking. His style is often marked by a combination of abstraction and representation, vibrant colours, thick impasto, and a sense of spontaneity. Exploring themes such as the human form, landscapes, and still life. His art was deeply personal, reflecting his inner thoughts, struggles, and passions. Whiteley was also known for his self-portraits, which provided an intimate glimpse into his psyche.

Throughout his career, Whiteley received numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Archibald, Wynne, and Sulman Prizes multiple times. His artistic legacy continues to inspire and captivate audiences globally.

11. Jeffrey Smart (1921-2013):

Another of our most famous Australian artists, Jeffrey Smart’s works are celebrated for their unique perspective on contemporary life, capturing the solitude and isolation within urban settings.

Studying art in Adelaide and Sydney before moving to Europe in 1948, Smart spent several years living in Italy where he drew inspiration from the Italian urban environment and Renaissance. His paintings are recognised by their sharp lines, bold colours, and meticulous attention to architectural details.

Smart made a significant contribution to the Australian art scene as an art critic for a major Australian newspaper and as a drawing teacher at the National Art School. Awarded the Commonwealth Jubilee Art Prize in 1951, he is remembered as one of the country’s most iconic artists.

12. Russell Drysdale (1912-1981):

Russell Drysdale was one of Australia’s most significant and respected artists of the 20th century. Known for his distinctive style of painting that depicted the Australian outback and its people, he captured the harshness and isolation of rural life.

Drysdale’s works often featured iconic Australian landscapes, along with figures from the outback, portraying the resilience and solitude of the individuals living in remote regions. His paintings are characterised by a sense of surrealism and poetic intensity and his use of light and shadow created a unique atmosphere in his artworks, adding an emotional depth to his compositions.

Drysdale had a unique way of capturing the essence of Australia’s arid landscapes and his paintings have become an iconic representation of the Australian outback.

13. Arthur Boyd (1920-1999):

Arthur Boyd was one of Australia’s most prominent and influential artists. He came from a family of artists and was a member of the renowned Boyd artistic dynasty.

Boyd’s work spanned various mediums, including painting, drawing, ceramics, and printmaking. Known for his powerful and emotive artworks, he often depicted the human condition, landscapes, and historical events. His paintings often explored themes of social injustice, war, and the complexities of human relationships. He was deeply inspired by the Australian landscape, particularly the landscapes of Victoria and the Shoalhaven region in New South Wales, where he lived for many years.

Boyd’s artistic contributions were widely recognised during his lifetime. He received numerous awards, including the prestigious Wynne Prize, Australia’s oldest art prize for landscape painting, several times throughout his career. In 1995, he was named Australian of the Year for his outstanding achievements in fine art.

14. Emily Kame Kngwarreye (1910-1996):

Emily Kame Kngwarreye from the Utopia community in the Northern Territory is considered one of the most prominent and influential figures in contemporary Aboriginal art. Though she began her artistic career relatively late in life, in her 70s, she quickly gained recognition for her unique and vibrant style, bold and expressive use of colour and ability to capture the essence of her cultural and spiritual beliefs in her paintings.

Kngwarreye’s art is deeply rooted in her Anmatyerre heritage, and her works often depict the Dreaming stories and the natural elements of her homeland, such as the desert landscape, plants, and animals.

During her short but prolific artistic career, Kngwarreye created a vast body of work, including paintings, drawings, and batiks. Her paintings feature intricate patterns, often depicting the interconnectedness of all living things in the natural world. Kngwarreye’s art has gained international acclaim and her paintings are highly sought after by collectors around the world.

15. John Henry Olsen (1928-Present):

Considered an Australian National treasure, John Henry Olsen grew up around the beauty of Bondi Beach and trained at a number of reputable Sydney art Schools including the Julian Ashton Art School. He returned to Australia in the 1960’s after several years travelling and studying around Europe which exposed him to Modern Art.

An abstract artist, Olsen depicted vivid, dynamic paintings of the Australian landscape in his unique style over a renowned seven-decade career. Olsen’s work often featured lush, abstract depictions of the natural world, capturing the essence of the Australian landscape, including its flora, fauna, and waterways.

One of Olsen’s most famous works is a mural-sized painting titled “Sydney Sun” (1965), which depicts the Sydney Harbour and its surroundings in a highly energetic and expressive manner. This painting is considered a landmark piece in Australian art history. Mosman Art Gallery in Sydney has showcased his artworks in various exhibitions over the years, celebrating his significant contributions to Australian art.

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What is Mindful Art? – The Benefits and Engaging Activities

November 14, 2023 by lola

What is Mindful Art? - The Benefits and Engaging Activities

In today’s fast-paced, technologically-driven world, the need for mindfulness has become increasingly crucial for our self care, inviting us to slow down, breathe and be present.

Worried you aren’t much of a Picasso? The great news is there’s no artistic experience required! Mindful art is all about the process, not the end product! Creative expression is a fundamental aspect of being human and engaging in fun, mindfulness based art activities is a valuable and accessible tool for anyone looking to enhance their well-being and enrich their lives!

Mindful art combines the benefits of mindfulness and creative expression, offering a pathway to self-discovery and healing, along with stress and anxiety reduction There are various types of mindfulness based art therapy you can explore, each offering a range of benefits.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the creative process. It involves paying deliberate and non-judgmental attention to your thoughts, emotions, and sensations as they arise. Mindfulness allows us to cultivate self-awareness and self-compassion and invites us to be gentle and kind to our inner critic.

The beauty of mindfulness is you can practice mindfulness anywhere, anytime. It may be as simple as taking a deep breath, smelling the aroma of your morning coffee or savouring the taste of that crispy bacon. Listening to the birds chirping outside your window or looking up at the sky and taking in the wonder and serenity of the vast cloudscape above you.

What is Mindful Art?

Put simply, mindful art is a creative form of meditation. Applying the benefits of mindfulness to artistic endeavors enables us to explore emotions and thoughts in a calm, gentle and fun way.

Mindful art often induces a natural flow state where you are encouraged to focus on your breath, thoughts, emotions and sensations while creating. Using art activities to explore these feelings in a fun and stress free way allows us to externalise our internal struggles, making them tangible. This process often leads to a sense of catharsis and can contribute significantly to healing and improving emotional well-being.

Benefits of Mindful Art:

Creative expression can be profoundly healing, serving as a form of therapy, allowing individuals to process complex feelings and experiences.

Helps with reducing stress:

You focus on the process and the being in the present moment, meaning outside stress, duties and concerns go out the window during creating. The calming effects and enjoyment also put us in a more relaxed state, decreasing everyday stressors.

Helps increase self awareness and self acceptance:

Creating from a judgement free mindset fosters a sense of self acceptance, empowerment and gratitude.

Enables emotional healing:

Art making allows us to turn inward and express ourselves in gentle way, offering clarity and insight into feelings and thoughts and the processing of difficult emotions.

Boosts creative thinking:

Surrendering to the flow of making art without overthinking or self-criticism allows a true, authentic freedom of creative expression to emerge. This can reveal new curiosity help unlock

Mindful Art Activities:

There are many fun and mindful art practices to explore using various art materials that are appropriate and beneficial for children and adults. Many children find a level of peace and relaxation in art as it focuses their minds and helps them look at the world around them in a more engaged way.

Attend a mindful art studio HERE!

Collage journaling:

Collage journaling is a versatile style of art making that combines images, text, drawings, and other art elements to express thoughts and emotions in a visual format. expressive means to This form of self-expression is highly personal and allows you to explore and document your inner thoughts.

Meditative colouring:

Portable and convenient, meditative colouring is accessible for everyone and might take adults down memory lane! The designs in meditative colouring books are specifically created to be complex, encouraging individuals to pay attention to small details while filling your pages with all the hues of the rainbow, whether it be with pencils, markers, or crayons.

Breathwork painting:

Breath work painting combines the therapeutic benefits of engaging in slow, conscious breathing with intentional breaths during the act of painting. This cultivates a heightened sense of awareness, allowing you to connect with your inner self on a profound level and aims to promote emotional release and alleviate anxiety.

Mindful origami:

Mindful origami combines the ancient art of paper folding with the principles of mindfulness. It offers a way for individuals to cultivate presence through the meditative process of folding paper and for forming intricate designs.

Photography meditation:

Also known as contemplative photography, this mindful practice involves using a camera or a smartphone to capture images intentionally. The focus is on exploring one’s surroundings with a fresh perspective, appreciating the inherent beauty of nature and the present moment.

Body and finger painting:

Body and finger painting offers a unique tactile and sensory experience beneficial to all ages and abilities. Whether using the body as canvas (non-toxic paints please!) or feeling the smooth texture and squishing movement of paint under your fingers, these methods engage the senses in a fun and interactive way.

What is the Difference Between Art Therapy and Mindful Art?

Art therapy and mindful art both use creative expression for therapeutic purposes but they have distinct differences in their approaches and goals.

While mindful art is practised in an informal setting (at home or in an art class) and can be a self-directed practice, art therapy occurs in a clinical setting with a qualified art therapist. The therapist is trained to interpret the artwork, providing insights and facilitating discussion about the artwork and its emotional significance.

Explore the Different Functions Offered by Pinot & Picasso.

Learn How To Hang A Canvas On A Wall With Ease

November 15, 2023November 14, 2023 by lola

Your canvas is complete, your masterpiece is perfection, so naturally you are ready to show it off! But how do you hang your wall art in an easy, no fuss way?

Follow our step by step guide to display your Picasso worthy creations with ease.

What to Consider Before Hanging Your Canvas Art:

Lighting:

You want to show off the beautiful textures, details and colours of your masterpiece, so choosing an area with soft natural lighting is a must! However, direct sunlight hitting the canvas should be avoided as it may fade or discolour artworks over time.

Canvas weight:

Smaller canvas prints (up to 16 x 16 inches) can be easily supported on the wall with a saw tooth bracket attached to the top of the timber frame.

For a larger canvas, wire or string attached to the sides is the way to go as it can bear more weight and offer hanging stability.

Most importantly when choosing your hanging method, purchase hangers that are rated for the weight of your canvas, these are typically easily identified on the packaging!

Wall material:

It is essential to consider your wall material in preparation for hanging your canvas print and clean the surface before you start!

Brick or Concrete

If you are comfortable using a drill, hanging your canvas print will come with relative ease! Some important factors to consider:

You may need to drill holes in the wall for additional support.
Measure twice, drill once!
Both the brick and the mortar which holds the bricks together are suitable to drill into with the right tools, mortar tends to be easier to work with.
You will need a 1/8 inch masonry drill bit and a masonry screw of the same thickness (or slightly thicker) to screw into the hole.
A masonry anchor or sleeve may come in handy, these anchoring systems expand when the screw is tightened, providing a stronger hold.

Plaster

Plaster tends to be brittle and is more susceptible to cracking or breaking so drilling a small hole in the and using a plaster screw reduces the risk of damage to your wall.

You will also want to locate a wall stud, this is a piece of timber behind the plaster that you can anchor your screw to. You can pick up an electronic stud finder at the hardware store or try gently knocking along the wall, listen closely and you will hear where the cavity is hollow where there is a stud there will be a higher tone and more solid sound.

Drywall

Drywall is a user friendly surface to hang canvas art and luckily the majority of walls are constructed with this material!

There are a range of quick and straightforward drywall hanging methods that can be tackled with a few simple tools.

The best part is, unless you’re hanging something really heavy, like the weight of a baby Hippo heavy, you don’t even need to find the wall stud to hang your canvas print.

Protecting your wall:

Avoid using too much force when hammering, be careful not to scratch or dent your walls when measuring and mark out pencil lines with a light touch.

You can protect your walls from being scratched or marked by the wooden frame by applying stick on wall protection pads to the back of your canvas print.

What You Will Need to Hang Your Canvas Print:

You have read over all the basic tips on how to hang a canvas, now it’s time to collect your kit.

Head to your local hardware store and get ready to feel like Bob the Builder as you fill your trolley with these essential tools:

Measuring tape
Hammer
Steel wire or art wire/cord
D rings or sawtooth hanger
Spirit level

Different Ways to Hang Canvas on a Wall:

Your canvas is ready for its spotlight moment, prepare it for hanging with one of these methods.

Sawtooth hangers:

Sawtooth brackets are perfect for small, lightweight canvas prints and art, easily attached with two small screws to the wooden frame of your artwork.

D-ring hangers:

D rings come in various sizes and shapes with screw holes and screws to attach to your canvas frame. Like sawtooth hangers, these are attached with a screw to the wooden frame and string or wire is added. Take the wire or string and thread it through both D-rings, tie a knot to fasten each end, pulling taut.

Wire or string hanging:

An alternative to D rings is simply stapling wire or string to the wooden frame and tying knots firmly on each end. Standard staple guns can be purchased at your local hardware or craft store and are easy to use, just mind your fingers and make sure to double staple for a firm hold!

Picture hanging adhesive strips:

This invention is perfect for those wanting to hang a smaller canvas print who are more reluctant to grab that drill, change their minds often or are living in a rental property.

Adhesive strips for wall mounting allow you to hang smaller canvases without making holes or leaving sticky residue. They are affordable, super easy to put up and can hold up to 16 pounds.

Measure and cut strips for all four sides of the canvas.
Remove the backing and carefully place strips on all four sides.
Position and firmly stick it to the wall.

FAQ:

How can I maintain my canvas and keep it clean?

Enhance the lifespan of your artworks with a regular Spring clean! The best part is, you don’t need to purchase any special cleaning products to keep those canvas prints looking fine and dandy!

For dust and surface dirt a clean, dry cloth will do the trick. If you have some more heavy residue to take care of, take a slightly damp cloth (using distilled water) and gently wipe over the canvas.

Over time temperature changes may cause your canvas print to sag a little inside of its frame and we have a simple fix!

Fill a clean spray bottle with distilled water and spray a fine mist over the back of the canvas. Leave to dry and notice how it slowly tightens up and pulls itself back into position like magic! Once fully dry, you can hang your clean, newly stretched masterpiece back on the wall.

How can I make sure my canvas art is level without using a spirit level?

A wonky picture on a slight angle is quite distracting but have no fear, there are two surefire hacks to achieving perfectly level picture placement without a spirit level!

#1 Smartphone apps – Bubble level and Spirit Level are free and easy to use, acting as a digital version of a spirit level tool.

#2 Measuring tape – Start from the ceiling and measure down the wall to the top corners of the canvas, adjust your canvas print until both corners are the exact same measurement.

What is the ideal height for hanging canvas prints on the wall?

A general rule is to hang your canvas print on the wall at eye-level, especially if you are planning to hang your masterpiece above a sofa or bed frame.

If you are ready to get fancy and follow Museum guidelines to accurately hang your canvas at eye level follow these basic tips:

Lay the canvas print on a flat surface and measure from the top left corner to the bottom corner.
Divide this number by two to find the canvas height centre.
Add 57 inches (140cm) to this number.
Measure your total number on the wall starting from the floor up mark with a pencil. This is how high the top of the canvas print needs to be from the floor.

How do I measure out a set of canvas art to hang together?

Hanging a set of wall art doesn’t need to be daunting! Consider these few basic hints to ensure a gallery worthy display:

Lay out your canvas prints on the floor and decide on the placement. This is where you can get creative ideas flowing, consider which one will be central, do the colours or patterns of each canvas look more complimentary in a particular order?
Measure out a distance of 2-4 inches between each canvas print.
Mark each spot on the wall with a pencil.
The first artwork you hang will be the central focal point of the complete layout and should be hung first, working outwards to hang the remaining canvas prints.

Are there places I should not hang canvas art?

Avoid direct sunlight so those harsh UV rays can’t infiltrate your art!

Rooms that are humid like bathrooms or kitchens tend to have a lot of moisture build up so take this into consideration when choosing the perfect location to hang your canvas.

If you absolutely need to display some awesome canvas art in your bathroom or kitchen, it’s important to apply a protective coating to your canvas to keep out moisture and clean it regularly.